A new ocean-going tanker, MT Omera Liberty, has been added to Bangladesh’s fleet, marking a significant expansion of the country’s maritime transport capacity.
The vessel, now the largest Bangladeshi-flagged tanker, is set for its maiden voyage on 31 March.
Owned by MJL Bangladesh, a concern of East Coast Group, the tanker is 250 metres long and can carry up to 115,000 tonnes of fuel oil, according to data from the Mercantile Marine Office.
The vessel was built using advanced, fuel-efficient technology by South Korea’s Daehan Shipbuilding under a contract signed with MJL on 20 July 2023. The project involved an investment of around $73 million.
The naming ceremony was held at the shipyard in South Korea on Wednesday, attended by East Coast Group Chairman Azam J Chowdhury, Daehan Shipbuilding Chairman David Kim, Bangladesh Ambassador to South Korea Toufiqul Islam, and MJL Chief Executive Officer (Shipping) Captain Minhazur Reza Chowdhury, among others.
Minhazur Reza Chowdhury said the company is scheduled to receive the tanker on 30 March, with its maiden voyage planned for the following day.
He added that the vessel has already been chartered to Shell under a one-year agreement and is expected to generate between $10 million and $15 million annually.
Captain Sabbir Mahmud, principal officer of the Mercantile Marine Office, said the addition of the vessel has increased the number of Bangladesh’s ocean-going ships to 105. He also confirmed that MT Omera Liberty has received provisional registration.
Industry insiders said the inclusion of such a large tanker could help reduce foreign currency expenditure on fuel transportation while creating opportunities to earn foreign exchange by serving international clients. It is also expected to generate employment for Bangladeshi seafarers.
MJL currently operates a fleet of five vessels, including four LPG carriers and one tanker. With the addition of Omera Liberty, the fleet size will increase to six.
The company is also set to add another LPG carrier in December this year, which is currently under construction at a shipyard in Japan.
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